The Spotlight Falls On Obama Over Russian Election Meddling

President Trump is pointing to the indictment of 13 Russians and three companies for interfering in the 2016 election as vindication for his campaign after it has faced accusations of collusion for more than a year.

The indictment issued Friday by the Justice Department at the request of special counsel Robert Mueller accused Russians of creating fake identities online to “sow discord” in the 2016 election. Officials said the efforts dated back to 2014, while President Obama was still in office and before Mr. Trump declared himself a candidate.

Rep. Adam B. Schiff, California Democrat, acknowledged that the Obama administration should have done more when it became known in 2014 that Russians were attempting to cause chaos, but he said the indictment doesn’t clear Mr. Trump’s campaign of any wrongdoing.

“It is inexplicable that the president of the United States continues to sit on sanctions that Congress passed,” Mr. Schiff told CNN.

He said the Obama administration’s inaction is no excuse for Mr. Trump not to punish Russia.

“This is a president who claims vindication anytime anyone sneezes,” he said.